Lack of validation in `SparseDenseCwiseMul`
Low2.5CVE-2021-29567 · Published May 21, 2021 · updated Jul 8, 2026
Affected versions
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| tensorflow PyPI | < 2.1.4 | 2.1.4 |
| >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.3 | 2.2.3 | |
| >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3 | 2.3.3 | |
| >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2 | 2.4.2 |
Details and references
### Impact Due to lack of validation in `tf.raw_ops.SparseDenseCwiseMul`, an attacker can trigger denial of service via `CHECK`-fails or accesses to outside the bounds of heap allocated data: ```python import tensorflow as tf indices = tf.constant([], shape=[10, 0], dtype=tf.int64) values = tf.constant([], shape=[0], dtype=tf.int64) shape = tf.constant([0, 0], shape=[2], dtype=tf.int64) dense = tf.constant([], shape=[0], dtype=tf.int64) tf.raw_ops.SparseDenseCwiseMul( sp_indices=indices, sp_values=values, sp_shape=shape, dense=dense) ``` Since the [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/38178a2f7a681a7835bb0912702a134bfe3b4d84/tensorflow/core/kernels/sparse_dense_binary_op_shared.cc#L68-L80) only validates the rank of the input arguments but no [constraints between dimensions](https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/raw_ops/SparseDenseCwiseMul), an attacker can abuse them to trigger internal `CHECK` assertions (and cause program termination, denial of service) or to write to memory outside of bounds of heap allocated tensor buffers. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [7ae2af34087fb4b5c8915279efd03da3b81028bc](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/7ae2af34087fb4b5c8915279efd03da3b81028bc). The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2, TensorFlow 2.3.3, TensorFlow 2.2.3 and TensorFlow 2.1.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range. ### For more information Please consult [our security guide](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/master/SECURITY.md) for more information regarding the security model and how to contact us with issues and questions. ### Attribution This vulnerability has been reported by Yakun Zhang and Ying Wang of Baidu X-Team.
- CVSS 3.1
- CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
- Severity from
- GitHub (reviewed advisory)
- Weakness
- CWE-617
- Also known as
- BIT-tensorflow-2021-29567, CVE-2021-29567, PYSEC-2021-204, PYSEC-2021-495, PYSEC-2021-693
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-wp3c-xw9g-gpcg
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29567
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/7ae2af34087fb4b5c8915279efd03da3b81028bc
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-495.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-693.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-204.yaml
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
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